Things are looking really bleak for NBC's Up All Night. That in itself isn't exactly huge news. Last fall we learned that NBC was switching the single-camera comedy to a multi-camera comedy for the remaining episodes of its second season. And about a month ago, it was reported that series creator Emily Spivey was exiting the series. Now comes word that star Christina Applegate is departing the show as well, which could mean the end of the comedy, though they're reportedly looking to replace her.
Deadline posted the news, stating that the Lorne-Michaels-produced comedy, which focused on a married couple with a new baby, is still being "re-conceptualized" and they haven't filmed any of the planned remaining five episodes of Season 2. From Applegate's statement, it sounds like she doesn't feel the changes made to the show are a good fit for her, creatively.
“It’s been a great experience working on Up All Night, but the show has taken a different creative direction and I decided it was best for me to move on to other endeavors,” Applegate said. “Working with Lorne Michaels has been a dream come true and I am grateful he brought me into his TV family. I will miss the cast, producers and crew, and wish them the best always.”
Her departure from the series is certainly unfortunate. In fact, considering she's one of the leads, playing the role of Reagan, the wife to Will Arnett's character Chris and best friend to Maya Rudolph's Ava, it's a devastating blow for the series, which probably can't use any more bad news. Deadline says some are saying "the show is now dead," but other sources say the series might be looking at Lisa Kudrow (Friends) as a potential replacement. That would certainly be an interesting shift. But if they do replace Reagan, between the format change, the showrunner change, and now this, assuming Up All Night does finish out its second season, it's surely going to look like a very different show.
We'll post an update if there are any new developments on this. In the meantime, Christina Applegate fans will get to see her back with Ron Burgundy in the anticipated Anchorman sequel.
